CN106236377A - SCNS is utilized to form the equipment of artificial vision - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a device for forming artificial vision by stimulating subcutaneous nerves. The device mainly includes: an image acquisition unit, a signal conversion unit, a signal transmission unit and an implanted subcutaneous electrical stimulation array; the image acquisition unit collects images and transmits the images to the signal conversion unit; the signal conversion unit converts the images into electrical stimulation signal; the signal transmission unit transmits the electrical stimulation signal to the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array; the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is implanted in the subcutaneous tissue, and the electrical stimulation signal is used to contact the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array The subcutaneous nerves are electrically stimulated so that the electrically stimulated images are perceived according to the principle of cross-aware plasticity. The invention implants a flexible or non-flexible electrode array into the subcutaneous tissue, and uses electric stimulation to form artificial vision, so that the user can perceive the electric stimulation image and form an alternative artificial vision, thereby perceiving the image information of the external world.

Description

A device for artificial vision using subcutaneous nerve stimulation

technical field

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic equipment, in particular to a device for forming artificial vision by stimulating subcutaneous nerves.

Background technique

With the development of our country's economy and the advancement of science and technology, the need for caring for vulnerable groups is getting higher and higher. Among them, it is of great significance to help the blind restore their vision and let them see again.

At present, the more common methods and devices for helping the blind restore their vision are mainly designed based on the eyes of the blind. By implanting artificially manufactured structures or chips to replace the loss of function of the eye structure of the blind, it helps people who are congenitally blind or gradually lose their vision due to disease to restore the ability to partially rely on images to perceive the world. For example, the retina chip, implanting artificially manufactured flexible electrode arrays into the retina, can help blind people who are blind due to retinopathy restore partial vision. However, this method also has obvious defects. First, the structure of the human eye is complex, which requires high precision in chip preparation and surgery, which directly brings high costs; secondly, although blind people are blind, some eye structures remain With corresponding functions, the implanted chip may cause permanent damage to these normal structures; in addition, the retinal chip requires the ganglion cells on the retina of the blind person and the optic nerve connected to it to be fully functional, so it is not suitable for blind people with impaired functions in this part. These limitations have also become the reason why retinal chips have not been widely promoted.

The plasticity theory of the human brain points out that various senses of the human body, such as vision, touch, hearing, smell, etc., can replace each other. Specifically, sensory receptors can be used interchangeably between the central nervous system. For normal people, visual signals received by visual receptors (eyes) will be processed through the visual nerve center, and tactile signals received by tactile receptors (skin, mucous membranes, etc.) will be processed through the tactile nerve center. However, due to the lack of visual receptors of blind people, the visual center cannot receive the visual signals transmitted by them and forms a blank. When the tactile receptors receive visual information (such as electrical stimulation images), their visual nerve centers are stimulated to form visual information. . On the basis of the above theories, scientists have conducted very comprehensive and extensive research, and the tactile-visual conversion system is based on the above theoretical basis. The system is mainly composed of image acquisition, image processing, and an electrode array formed by a stimulator. The image information of the outside world is transmitted to the optic nerve of the brain in the form of electrode array stimulation, thereby producing a feeling similar to vision. The system is of great help to blind people in reading, traveling and other aspects of life, and facilitates the lives of blind people.

At present, there are methods based on this theoretical basis at home and abroad. For example, one of them is to apply image and text information to the large area of skin surface on the back or abdomen of the blind person in the form of artificial touch, so that the blind person can obtain image information; the other is to convert the optical signal into an electrical signal through a photoelectric conversion unit After that, it is transmitted to the graphic display unit, and the blind person can obtain certain visual information through mechanical stimulation on the skin; in addition, there is another method that converts the image information obtained by the camera into electrical stimulation and acts on the tongue, so that the blind person can recognize certain visual information after training. image information. The above programs provide the principle of applying visual substitution to help blind people solve problems in reading or life.

The shortcoming of the above-mentioned scheme of helping the blind to obtain vision of the prior art is: because the electrodes of electric stimulation are in contact with the skin surface, usually the contact resistance is relatively large, and there may be large changes (such as the secretion of sweat) with the change of the skin state. ), the quality of electrical stimulation cannot be guaranteed, which brings difficulties to the precise identification and perception of the blind. In addition, it is difficult to fix the stimulation device based on skin contact. Blind people usually have to practice to form an accurate feeling for a certain part of the stimulation, and the device may be displaced or deformed during use, which also brings difficulties to the perception and recognition of the blind. hinder.

Contents of the invention

An embodiment of the present invention provides a device for forming artificial vision by stimulating subcutaneous nerves, so as to realize the formation of artificial vision by electrically stimulating subcutaneous nerves.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions.

A device that uses subcutaneous nerve stimulation to form artificial vision, including: an image acquisition unit, a signal conversion unit, a signal transmission unit, and an implanted subcutaneous electrical stimulation array;

The image acquisition unit is used to acquire images and transmit the images to the signal conversion unit;

The signal conversion unit is used to convert the image into an electrical stimulation signal;

The signal transmission unit is used to transmit the electrical stimulation signal to the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array;

The implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is used for implanting into the subcutaneous tissue, and is used for using the electrical stimulation signal to electrically stimulate the subcutaneous nerves in contact with the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array, so that according to the cross sensory Principles of Plasticity Perceived Electrically Stimulated Images.

Further, the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is a biocompatible flexible base electrode; or a non-flexible base electrode that can be attached to subcutaneous tissue.

Further, the non-flexible substrate electrodes include planar electrodes and three-dimensional electrodes.

Further, the electrode material of the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is a conductive material.

Further, the thickness of the electrode material of the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is 10 microns to 1 mm, and the electrode interval is 10 microns to 1 mm.

Further, the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is used to include an electrode point array and an electrode substrate, the electrode point array is embedded on the electrode substrate, and the electrode point array includes a plurality of electrode points arranged in a set array According to the voltage of the received electrical stimulation signal, a high and low potential signal with different potentials is formed on each electrode point. As the voltage of the electrical stimulation signal changes, the potential formed on each electrode point also changes. The potential difference across the electrode points creates a current at the electrode points that stimulates the subcutaneous nerves to produce the sensation of touch.

From the technical solutions provided by the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention, it can be seen that in the embodiments of the present invention, the flexible or non-flexible electrode arrays are implanted into the subcutaneous tissue, and the subcutaneous nerves are electrically stimulated to form artificial vision, so that the user can perceive the electrical stimulation. Images form an alternative artificial vision to perceive the image information of the external world.

Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Description of drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings that need to be used in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For Those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

Fig. 1 is the structural block diagram of the equipment that forms artificial vision according to the electrical stimulation of the embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a flowchart of a method for forming artificial vision through electrical stimulation according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the principle of use of an implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of different tactile images formed by electrode point arrays according to an embodiment of the present invention as the potential level changes.

In the figure: 1. Image acquisition unit, 2. Signal conversion unit, 3. Signal transmission unit, 4. Electrical stimulation array, 5. Electrode point, 5'. High potential electrode, 5". Low potential electrode, 6. Flexible electrode Substrate, 7. Human skin, 8. Subcutaneous tissue.

detailed description

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by referring to the figures are exemplary only for explaining the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Those skilled in the art will understand that unless otherwise stated, the singular forms "a", "an", "said" and "the" used herein may also include plural forms. It should be further understood that the word "comprising" used in the description of the present invention refers to the presence of said features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, Integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Additionally, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Those skilled in the art can understand that, unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be understood to have a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the prior art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless defined as herein Explanation.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, several specific embodiments will be taken as examples for further explanation below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and each embodiment does not constitute a limitation to the embodiments of the present invention.

Embodiment one

This embodiment provides a device for forming artificial vision using subcutaneous nerve stimulation. The structural block diagram of the device is shown in Figure 1, including the following units:

an image acquisition unit, configured to acquire images;

a signal conversion unit, configured to convert the collected image into an electrical stimulation signal, and transmit the electrical stimulation signal to a signal transmission unit;

A signal transmission unit, configured to send the electrical stimulation signal to the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array;

The implanted subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is used for using the electrical stimulation signal to electrically stimulate the subcutaneous nerves in contact with the implanted subcutaneous electrical stimulation array, so as to perceive the electrical stimulation image.

Preferably, the image acquisition unit, the signal conversion unit, and the sending end of the signal transmission unit are integrated in a wearable external image acquisition device, and the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is integrated in a planar or three-dimensional flexible substrate; or integrated in a subcutaneous Tissue-compliant non-flexible substrates are implanted into the subcutaneous tissue.

Preferably, the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is integrated on a flexible substrate with good biocompatibility, and may also be integrated on a non-flexible substrate that can be attached to subcutaneous tissue. The electrode material is a biocompatible metal (such as Au, Pt), the diameter of the electrode is 10 microns to 1 mm, and the electrode interval is 10 microns to 1 mm.

Preferably, the voltage of the electrical stimulation image is measured according to the lowest threshold voltage of the experiment, usually below 10V, and can be adjusted according to the user's needs without causing damage to the tissue.

This embodiment provides a method for helping the blind to form artificial vision by directly implanting it into the subcutaneous tissue of the blind. Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for forming artificial vision by subcutaneous electrical stimulation according to an embodiment of the present invention. It will be described in conjunction with Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and the method includes the following steps:

Step S202, the image acquisition unit acquires external images;

Step S204, the signal conversion unit converts the image signal into an electrical stimulation signal, encodes the obtained image signal according to elements such as brightness and saturation, and converts it into electrical stimulation signals of different intensities, different durations, or other mutually distinguishable signals.

Step S206, the signal transmission unit transmits the electrical stimulation signal to the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array by means of wired or wireless transmission;

Step S208 , the implanted subcutaneous electrical stimulation array uses the electrical stimulation signal to electrically stimulate the subcutaneous nerve of the blind person, so that the blind person feels the electrical stimulation signal on the subcutaneous nerve, thereby perceiving the electrical stimulation image.

As a preferred embodiment, the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is a biocompatible flexible base electrode or a non-flexible base electrode that can fit well with the subcutaneous tissue. The non-flexible base electrode can include planar electrodes and three-dimensional electrodes. electrode.

Preferably, the electrode material of the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array can be a conductive material. Conductive materials include: metals, conductive oxides, conductive polymers, or conductive nanomaterials (such as carbon nanotubes, doped nanodiamonds). For example: biocompatible metals, which may include: gold or platinum.

Preferably, the electrode material of the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is 10 microns to 1 mm, and the electrode interval is 10 microns to 1 mm.

Embodiment two

In the technical solution of this embodiment, the flexible electrode array is implanted in the subcutaneous tissue, so that the electrical stimulation of subcutaneous nerves can be realized through the flexible electrode array to form artificial vision. Including the following steps:

(1) implanting the flexible electrode electrical stimulation array into the subcutaneous tissue;

(2) The electrical stimulation generation unit collects the specified image, and converts the collected image information into an electrical stimulation signal;

(3) The electrical stimulation signal is transmitted to the flexible electrode electrical stimulation array through wired or wireless transmission;

(4) The flexible electrode electrical stimulation array forms high and low potential signals with different potentials on each electrode point according to the voltage of the electrical stimulation signal. As the voltage of the electrical stimulation signal changes, the potential formed on each electrode point also changes with The potential difference on different electrode points generates a current at the electrode point, and the current stimulates the subcutaneous nerve to produce a sense of touch. As a result, blind people experience electrical stimulation images on the skin, thereby forming artificial vision.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the principle of use of an implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3 , an array of electrode points 5 is embedded on a flexible electrode substrate 6 . In use, the flexible electrode substrate 6 is implanted in the subcutaneous tissue 8 . The electrical signal transmission line or wireless signal drawn from one end of the flexible electrode substrate 6 transmits the electrical stimulation signal processed by the image processing unit 2 into the array of electrode points 5, thereby forming an electrical stimulation signal on the subcutaneous nerve and sensing the electrical stimulation image.

In the example shown in Figure 4, with the change of the potential level on the electrical signal transmission line or wireless transmission signal, the array of electrode points 5 will form different tactile images. The number of electrode points in Figure 4 can range from 4 to 10,000. Draw 20 as a schematic; the distribution of high-potential electrodes and low-potential electrodes in the figure is only a schematic diagram, and the specific distribution depends on actual needs. Figure 4 shows a "mouth". The subcutaneous nerve cells feel the electrical stimulation and form a tactile image, which is transmitted to the visual central nervous system, and blind people can produce artificial vision.

The principle of the above scheme is as follows: when the potential of the microelectrode changes from low to high, a potential difference will be generated between the electrode and the zero potential point. From the siphon effect and the conductivity of the body fluid, it can be known that the potential difference will generate a small current at the electrode point, and the current will stimulate the electrode. The subcutaneous nerve at the point produces the corresponding tactile sensation, and all the tactile parts are synthesized by the brain to generate a tactile image, which is transmitted to the visual central nervous system through the brain, so that the blind can produce artificial vision.

Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above-mentioned image acquisition unit of the present invention can be realized by photoelectric conversion devices or modules such as cameras and photoelectric sensors; Modules can be concentrated on a single computing device, or distributed over a network of multiple computing devices, and alternatively, they can be implemented with program codes executable by the computing device, so that they can be stored in a storage device for Computing devices are used to execute them, or they are fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or multiple modules or steps among them are fabricated into a single integrated circuit module for implementation. As such, the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

In summary, the embodiment of the present invention implants flexible or non-flexible electrode arrays into the subcutaneous tissue, and uses electrical stimulation of subcutaneous nerves to form artificial vision. Image information from the outside world.

The embodiment of the present invention utilizes the subcutaneous nerve in the subcutaneous tissue of the blind person to help the blind person feel the world, which facilitates and simplifies the process of forming artificial vision through electrical stimulation. Due to the sensitivity of the subcutaneous nerve and the precision of the integrated circuit method, the number of pixels per unit area can be increased and the resolution is higher. Since the electrode is implanted under the skin, compared with sticking on the surface of the skin, the contact resistance is reduced, the sensitivity of the tissue to the stimulation voltage is improved, and it is easy to fix and use. It should be noted that not all of the above-mentioned implementation manners can have these technical effects, and some technical effects can only be achieved by certain preferred implementation manners.

Those skilled in the art can understand that the accompanying drawing is only a schematic diagram of an embodiment, and the modules or processes in the accompanying drawing are not necessarily necessary for implementing the present invention.

It can be seen from the above description of the implementation manners that those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the present invention can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform. Based on this understanding, the essence of the technical solution of the present invention or the part that contributes to the prior art can be embodied in the form of software products, and the computer software products can be stored in storage media, such as ROM/RAM, disk , CD, etc., including several instructions to make a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) execute the methods described in various embodiments or some parts of the embodiments of the present invention.

Each embodiment in this specification is described in a progressive manner, the same and similar parts of each embodiment can be referred to each other, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. In particular, for the device or system embodiments, since they are basically similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and for relevant parts, refer to part of the description of the method embodiments. The device and system embodiments described above are only illustrative, and the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, It can be located in one place, or it can be distributed to multiple network elements. Part or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment. It can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art without creative effort.

The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention can easily think of changes or Replacement should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims (6)

1. A device that utilizes subcutaneous nerve stimulation to form artificial vision, comprising: an image acquisition unit, a signal conversion unit, a signal transmission unit and an implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array; The image acquisition unit is used to acquire images and transmit the images to the signal conversion unit; The signal conversion unit is used to convert the image into an electrical stimulation signal; The signal transmission unit is used to transmit the electrical stimulation signal to the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array; The implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is used for implanting into the subcutaneous tissue, and is used for using the electrical stimulation signal to electrically stimulate the subcutaneous nerves in contact with the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array, so that according to the cross sensory Principles of Plasticity Perceived Electrically Stimulated Images. 2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is a biocompatible flexible base electrode; or a non-flexible base electrode that can be attached to subcutaneous tissue. 3 . 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the non-flexible substrate electrodes include planar electrodes and three-dimensional electrodes. 4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the electrode material of the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is a conductive material. 5 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the electrode material of the implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array has a thickness of 10 micrometers to 1 millimeter, and an electrode interval of 10 micrometers to 1 millimeter. 6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The implantable subcutaneous electrical stimulation array is used to include an electrode point array and an electrode substrate, the electrode point array is embedded on the electrode substrate, and the electrode point array includes a plurality of electrode points arranged in a set array, according to receiving The voltage of the received electrical stimulation signal forms high and low potential signals with different potentials on each electrode point. As the voltage of the electrical stimulation signal changes, the potential formed on each electrode point also changes. Different electrode points The potential difference creates a current at the electrode points, which stimulates the subcutaneous nerve to produce the sensation of touch.